Ink Mixing a problem?

[Virgil]

I am having problems with a Snorkel; I had it repaired and when I got it back it would consistently run dry periodically. The repairman has taken it back to fix, but asked about my putting a PR ink in it, and whether or not I flushed completely before using Skrip - he said he's seen pens ruined by this combination.

So my question is, has anyone heard of this danger before, and what other brand combinations might I need to be wary of?!

[Claes]

Hi Virgil,

 

Generally speaking: in *theory* there is always a danger when mixing things

if one does not know the composition of the concoctions.

Some people consider it safe to mix inks within the same brand.

 

It could also be a danger to use certain (unmixed) inks in certain pens.

Examples: Parker Super-Chrome in a pen which was not so tight as a

Parker 51, or an ink with a heavily staining dyestuff in a sensitive pen.

 

On the other side of the discussion we find people advocating that an fp ink

is nothing but coloured water...

 

When in doubt, make a test mixture and use it in one of your non-favourite fps.

 

There ought to be a "database" of do:s and don't:s concerning inks/ink

mixtures -- the ones I have seen so far mostly deals with "how to obtain

a certain nuance".

 

I know far more about pigments than dyestuffs. The danger of placing

certain pigments next to each other when making an illuminated manuscript

was known to the scribes who worked 1,000 years ago - to counteract

ill effects, they separated the two "enemy" areas with a pigment

neutral to both. Unfortunately, this trick cannot be applied to fp ink

mixing...

 

Have fun!

Claes in Lund, Sweden

[KCat]

Hi Virgil.

 

I've mixed a lot of inks - and the only mix I had problems with was a mix that included an NOS Skrip ink. One of my favorite mixes for a while was a burgundy that used three different brands of ink. And I never had any problem with it staining or clogging.

 

I agree entirely with Claes - test before putting it into a pen that might be more costly to repair.

 

that said - I don't know if a small amount left in the pen when switching inks would cause that much of a problem. Especially if you did flush at least somewhat. More likely, IMO, one or the other ink does the damage all by itself. I say this because I *have* had two clogged pens, neither involved mixes. And neither involved Penman inks (That's my anti-Wim disclaimer)

 

There are known "bad" inks for mixing - PR's Tangerine DReam, Candy Apple Red, Hot Bubble gum (and probably Baby Lips Pink). All of these have been discontinued because they *did* interact with other inks and the scenario the repair person mentioned is much more likely with these inks.

 

but... i had Hot Bubble Gum in a couple of pens for a long time, flushed but not compulsively, and put in a different ink. With no ill effects. I think some of this is also dependent on how much you use the pen. The pens that I had that did clog (both were PR colors - though I remain a big fan of PR inks in general) had sat for at least a couple of weeks and probably longer without being used much at all. So - my other advice would be - if you're going to use a dense ink like many of the PR inks (and Noodler's, and WM Violet) then either use the pen regularly or flush it if you think it will not get used for a couple of weeks.

[Keith with a capital K]

Mixing inks does not generally pose a problem although Kcat's tips on the use of certain PR inks should be well heeded.

 

Parker Superchrome should never be used in any pen as it was discontinued by Parker because of it's corrosive nature. Old bottles of Superchrome are good as display items only.

 

Because of how a Snorkel is designed, I always prefer to use inks that I know are free flowing and non clogging as even small deposits in the filler tube can cause problems.

[Virgil]

Okay, so it's not a terrible catastrophe lying in wait for me … whew. I had PR 'blue suede' in the snork, and when I had feed troubles I switched to the Skrip. I don't think the ink caused the problem, and the repair guy doesn't seem to think so either (he's taken back the pen to address the feed issue), but it did make me wonder.

I suppose the safest course is to dedicate the pen to a brand of ink and save my experimentation for my Pel 200, which flushes out much more easily!

V

[KCat]

that would be my choice, Virgil. Much as I love my Penman Emerald, it only goes in my M200 in which it has performed flawlessly.

[wimg]

Hey KCat,

 

And you only say that now! Out of spite, obviously . I'll remember that when next we have an argument over Penman inks .

 

Emerald stained fingers is an awesome, be it slightly overrated sight, I must say .

 

Warm regards,

WtMD

[KCat]

proof there is a (pen)God, Wim. Or is it just a coincidence that *that* sample blew up on you? Just a coincidence that you have to walk around with green fingers for an extended period of time as pennance?

 

 

p.s. - I never said I didn't show the ink respect by keeping it flowing and regularly flushed. so there :P

Edited February 12, 2005 by KCat

[wimg]

KCat,

 

ROFLMHO!!!

 

Love, Wim